December 2021 – Indigenous Clean Energy Solutions in Rural Canada

Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation (NNC) is Nunavut’s first 100% Inuit-owned renewable energy developer, based in Iqaluit, NU. Heather Shilton, Director at NNC, will speak about their clean energy microgrid project planned for Iqaluit, NU. This project will integrate wind, solar, battery energy storage, and combined heat and power diesel generation to significantly reduce diesel reliance in Iqaluit and offset operating costs for Aqsarniit Hotel & Conference Centre, a 100% Inuit-owned hotel and conference centre. With a number of renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives underway across the Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut, NNC is a leader in the clean energy transition in Nunavut.  

Three Nations Energy (3NE) is a joint venture of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the Mikisew Cree First Nation, and the Fort Chipewyan Metis Association. Greenplanet Energy Analytics continues to provide ongoing project management support to 3NE. Jason Schulz, Executive Director of Strategic Advisory Services at the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation will speak about the Fort Chipewyan solar project. This project is designed to significantly reduce dependence on carbon intensive diesel fuel and to replace it with clean renewable electricity. Energized on January 26, 2021, 3NE is the largest solar PV system in a remote off-grid Canadian community, reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions as well as creating jobs in the local community. 3NE continues to serve as a catalyst for several initiatives within Fort Chipewyan—and beyond—that embrace energy efficiency and carbon reduction. Please visit www.3ne.ca to learn more about this exciting project.

Learn about the challenges and possibilities of rural energy through the leadership of First Nation communities in Canada. 

Featured Speakers:

Heather Shilton, DirectorNunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation

Heather has over five years of experience in the renewable energy industry, primarily in Ontario, New York State, and Nunavut. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Geography, Environmental Studies, and History from Mount Allison University and a Master’s degree in Cultural Analysis and Social Theory from Wilfrid Laurier University. She currently serves as the Board Treasurer for the Arctic Renewables Society, is the Nunavut Regional Champion with Efficiency Canada, and is an appointed member to the Sustainable Development Advisory Council for Environment and Climate Change Canada. She is a Certified Environmental Professional with a specialization in Energy and oversees a number of renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives in the Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut in her role as Director at Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation.

Heather joined NNC in 2019 bringing with her experience in developing various portfolios of small to medium scale onshore wind and solar PV projects across North America, in addition to the early development of community-scale renewable energy projects in remote communities. Prior to joining NNC, Heather worked on community-owned renewable energy projects in partnership with Indigenous communities and local community organizations. She currently resides in Iqaluit, Nunavut.

Jason Schulz, Executive Director of Strategic Advisory Services, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN)

Jason Schulz, Executive Director Strategic Advisory Services, has been with Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) since 2017. Jason’s background encompasses Indigenous business, infrastructure projects and investments, business development and governance, community engagement, marketing, human resources and education. Jason serves as the Director, Chair and President of the Indigenous Communities General Partnership, representing Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Bigstone Cree First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation, and Sucker Creek First Nation regarding strategic governance of their ownership in the Alberta PowerLine.

Jason also serves as the President of Three Nations Energy where Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation and Fort Chipewyan Metis Association partnered with ATCO Electric to establish Canada’s first and largest off-grid solar farm. As the Executive Director of Strategic Advisory Services for ACFN, Jason is responsible for overseeing higher level strategic priorities and long-term infrastructure projects. Jason collaborates with ACFN Chief and Council, CEO, and Senior Management Team to foster economic and community development. Jason has been instrumental in accessing funding for ACFN capital projects and developing a strong network of Nation and industry partnerships.

Rob Macintosh, Senior Partner, 3NE Project ManagerGreenplanet Energy Analytics

As Senior Partner, Rob offers our clients the benefit of his extensive network of clean energy contacts in industry and government, as well as a deep knowledge of key services and technologies in energy efficiency, and in renewable/clean energy supply technologies. He specializes in finding practical and cost-effective solutions and using streamlined business case analysis in energy management planning to save time and money identifying and implementing effective strategies to save money and reduce environmental impacts from energy waste.

He has been closely involved in and continues to advise on the software capacity and user interface for CircuitMeter, an important energy metering tool that Greenplanet Energy Analytics supports. Rob is also a Project Manager for Three Nations Energy. He works closely with the 3NE Board of Directors and other key contacts to initiate and manage clean energy projects in the community, such as the 3NE Solar Farm and the 3NE Wood Fuel Business. Rob Macintosh has been a leader in the growth and development of Canada’s clean energy and sustainability sector for the past 32 years, working at the interface of energy policy, energy efficiency and renewables, clean technology innovation, and environmental management.  He has 25 years of successful management and consulting experience in energy management and sustainability business planning with three levels of government, First Nations, NGO, and large energy and resource company clients.

In 1985 Rob founded the Pembina Institute where he played a leadership role for 16 years and focused on corporate climate change policy, sustainable energy policy, carbon pricing, clean energy, and efficiency technology assessment, community energy planning, and sustainable business strategy. He played a foundational role in the Alberta Ecotrust Foundation, the Provincial Clean Air Strategic Alliance, GreenLearning Canada Foundation, and numerous other innovation initiatives.

As President of Dejanira Enterprises since 1990, he has built and continues to guide a number of successful small businesses in real estate management, land development, recycling, and environmental consulting. Rob is a Partner and Senior Environmental Advisor in Gen7 Environmental Solutions – an Alberta-based environmental reclamation, environmental assessment, and project planning and construction monitoring Service Company.  He holds a B.Sc.Hon. (Physical Geography and Biology) and a B.Ed. both from Queen’s University.


Sponsored by:

Consulate General of Canada in Seattle

Sponsoring the CleanTech Lunch series is a great way to get your brand noticed or connect your organization to a clean tech topic. Contact Rachelle@CleanTechAlliance.org for more info, or check out our infographic here.

Upcoming Series for 2023:

Every second Wednesday of the month

  • April 12 – C-Suite Roundtable on Developing a Skilled, Inclusive Workforce – Register Here
  • September 13 – District Energy, Deep Lake Water Cooling, and Salmon Habitat Restoration in the Lake Washington Lake Canal
  • October 11 – (During Fusion Week) Discussion on Industry Advancements

Past Lunch Series Speakers:

2023 Lunch Speakers

  • March 2023 – Wastewater Heat Recovery
  • February 2023 – Future-Proofing Buildings: Sustainable, Efficient Design for Energy Retrofits
  • January 2023 – The BUILT Cluster: Working Together for Infrastructure Decarbonization

2022 Lunch Speakers

  • October 2022 – The Future of Fusion Regulations and the Need for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
  • September 2022 – The Inflation Reduction Act’s Impact on the Clean Energy Industry
  • May 2022 – Innovative Approaches to Organic Waste Management (Hybrid)
  • April 2022 – Ocean Energy, Marine Fuels & the Blue Economy
  • March 2022 – Trends in the CleanTech Funding Landscape
  • February 2022– Salmon Conservation
  • January 2022 – Hydrogen Technologies

2020-2021 Breakfast/Lunch Series Speakers

2019-2020 Breakfast Series Speakers

2018-2019 Breakfast Series Speakers

2017-2018 Breakfast Series Speakers

2016-2017 Breakfast Series Speakers